Isao Kumano

Enteral immuno‐enhanced diets with arginine are safe and beneficial for patients early after esophageal cancer surgery

We previously reported that provision of immediate enteral nutrition (EN) with a certain amount of omega (omega)-3 fatty acids (FAs) in patients after esophageal cancer surgery resulted in reduced platelet aggregation, coagulation activity, and cytokine production. We investigated whether EN using immuno-enhanced diet (IED) containing a large amount of omega-3 FAs as well as arginine and RNA affected the above-described responses. We also attempted to reveal whether arginine in the IED can potentially harm patients who undergo esophageal cancer surgery. Twenty-nine patients with esophageal cancer who underwent similar surgical procedures were selected. All patients received EN starting immediately after surgery. Fourteen patients received the formula with fewer omega-3 FAs, and fifteen patients received the IED. Administration of the IED tended to inhibit postoperative decrease in platelet count. Prothrombin activity and thrombin-antithrombin III complex levels were significantly reduced in the IED group. Plasma IL-8 levels were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in patients without the IED on the fifth postoperative day (POD). The proportion of T-cells was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the IED group on PODs 1 and 7. Nitrate/nitrite levels did not differ significantly between the two groups. Early EN with an IED may enhance the inhibitory effects on postoperative platelet aggregation and hypercoagulation, and appeared to be advantageous to T-cell proliferation. These effects are expected to be beneficial in patients at risk of developing infectious complications. This study also showed that the IED could be safely used without any adverse effects for patients early after a radical surgery for the esophageal cancer.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for pig esophagus by using photocrosslinkable chitosan hydrogel as submucosal fluid cushion

BACKGROUND Hypertonic saline solution (HS) as a submucosal fluid cushion (SFC) for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has several disadvantages, including a short effect duration and increased risk of bleeding and perforation. Photocrosslinkable chitosan hydrogel in DMEM/F12 medium (PCH) can be converted into an insoluble hydrogel by UV irradiation for 30 seconds. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility, usefulness, and safety of PCH as an SFC for ESD of esophagi, compared with HS and sodium hyaluronate (SH). DESIGN Survival animal study. SETTINGS Research laboratory study of 24 pig models in vivo. INTERVENTIONS Twenty-four pigs were used in the 2 steps: First, ESD of the esophagus was performed with PCH, SH, or HS (each n = 6) as an SFC, and the effects of these agents on wound healing were examined endoscopically and histologically. Second, in vivo degradation of PCH (n = 3) and HS (n = 3) was examined in independent pig esophagi. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Outcome measurements included feasibility and safety of PCH-assisted ESD of esophagus, gross and histologic evidence of the treated esophagus, biodegradation of injected PCH, and clinical tolerance by the animals. RESULT PCH injection led to a longer-lasting elevation with clearer margins compared with SH and HS, thus enabling precise ESD along the margins of the elevated mucosa without complications such as bleeding and perforation. The aspects of wound repair after PCH-assisted ESD were similar to those of SH- and HS-assisted ESDs. Biodegradation of PCH was confirmed to be almost completed within 8 weeks on the basis of endoscopic and histologic observations. LIMITATIONS In vivo animal model study. CONCLUSION PCH permits more reliable ESD of the esophagus without complications than do SH and HS. Furthermore, the applied PCH appeared to be completely biodegraded within 8 weeks. Thus, PCH is a promising agent as an SFC in ESD of the esophagus.

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome as a predictor of anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy

PurposeEsophageal anastomotic leakage is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality after esophagectomy. We conducted this study to elucidate how anastomotic leakage affects the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria.MethodsThe subjects of this retrospective study were 61 patients who underwent esophagectomy. We evaluated their preoperative status, the surgical procedures, and postoperative systemic response, including white blood cell count, heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, and laboratory data up to postoperative day (POD) 4.ResultsAnastomotic leakage developed in nine patients (14.8%) and was found on POD 7 on average. These patients had a significantly longer hospital stay than those without leakage. Although no difference was observed in postoperative changes of any of the SIRS criteria, the postoperative incidence of SIRS was significantly higher in the patients with anastomotic leakage on POD 4. The number of positive criteria for SIRS was also significantly higher in patients with anastomotic leakage than in those without leakage on PODs 3 and 4.ConclusionsThe SIRS scoring system is valuable for evaluating the severity of systemic inflammatory response caused by anastomosis leakage, and may serve as an indicator for prompt management.

Computed tomography lymphography for the detection of sentinel nodes in patients with gastric carcinoma

The sentinel node (SN) concept has been found to be feasible in gastric cancer. However, the lymphatic network of gastric cancer may be more complex, and it may be difficult to visualize all the SN distributed in unexpected areas by conventional modalities. In this study, we evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of CT lymphography for the detection of SN in gastric cancer. A total 24 patients with early gastric cancer were enrolled in the study. Three modalities (CT lymphography, dye and radioisotope [RI] methods) were used for the detection of SN. The images of CT lymphography were obtained at 10 min after injection of contrast agents. The SN were successfully identified by CT lymphography in 83.3% of patients; detection rates by the dye and RI methods were 95% and 100%, respectively. Most patients, in whom SN were successfully detected by CT lymphography, had positive results at 5 min after injection of the contrast material. The SN stations detected by CT lymphography were consistent with or included those detected by dye and/or RI methods. In conclusion, CT lymphography for the detection of SN in gastric cancer is feasible and has several advantages. However, based on this initial experience, CT lymphography had a relatively low detection rate compared with conventional methods, and further efforts will be necessary to improve the detection rate and widen the clinical application of CT lymphography for the detection of SN in gastric cancer. (Cancer Sci 2010; 101: 2586–2590)

Laparoscopic treatment for median arcuate ligament syndrome: the usefulness of intraoperative Doppler ultrasound to confirm the decompression of the celiac artery.

The median arcuate ligament syndrome is an unusual disease associated with postprandial epigastric pain, and the optimal treatment of this syndrome remains to be established. A 52-year-old woman manifested in our hospital postprandial epigastric pain, and extrinsic compression of the celiac trunk revealed by an abdominal computed tomography. After the induction of general anesthesia, the celiac artery origin was completely skeletonized using a laparoscopic dissector and vessel sealing system. Intraoperative Doppler ultrasound demonstrated that, after surgery, the stenosis of the celiac artery, and poststenotic dilatation observed before the release of the median arcuate ligament, had completely disappeared. In conclusion, the laparoscopic release of the median arcuate ligament is a minimally invasive treatment for median arcuate ligament syndrome. The intraoperative Doppler ultrasound is useful for confirming the decompression of the celiac artery, although long-term follow-up is mandatory.

Laparoscopic gastrectomy after incomplete endoscopic resection for early gastric cancer

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) utilizes electrical coagulation, which can cause burns, fibrosis and adhesion of the stomach and surrounding tissue; these complications might increase the surgical difficulties for subsequent laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy (LAG) and the risk of complications. However, scarce data are available on the influence of previous ESD on LAG. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of LAG following incomplete ESD in patients with early gastric cancer. Ninety-seven patients who underwent LAG were analyzed retrospectively; 17 patients had undergone ESD previously and the remaining 80 patients had no history of ESD. Clinicopathological data and surgical outcomes were compared between the two groups. No differences were observed in surgical outcomes of LAG after ESD in terms of operation time, intraoperative blood loss, total number of harvested lymph nodes, time until start of flatus, and postoperative hospital stay. These results were not influenced by tumor location and operative procedures. In conclusion, in terms of surgical outcomes, LAG is a safe and feasible procedure for the treatment of early gastric cancer regardless of previous endoscopic treatment. LAG may be the first-choice radical treatment after incomplete ESD for early gastric cancer.

Peritoneal computed tomography attenuation values reflect the severity of peritonitis caused by gastrointestinal perforations

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the peritoneal computed tomography (CT) attenuation values and relate them to the severity of peritonitis in patients with gastrointestinal tract (GI) perforations. METHODS A total of 56 consecutive patients with GI perforations who underwent CT scan and emergency laparotomy in our hospital were enrolled in this study. The CT attenuation values of the peritoneum were measured on a workstation by 2 independent investigators, and were investigated in relation to the severity of illness and hospital mortality. RESULTS Peritoneal CT attenuation values in hospital nonsurvivors were significantly lower than those in survivors. There was significant negative correlation between peritoneal CT attenuation values and sequential organ failure assessment score, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II score, and the Mannheim peritonitis index. CONCLUSIONS The evaluation of peritoneal CT attenuation values in patients with peritonitis is simple and can be used for objective assessment of the severity of peritonitis.

Effects of an immuno-enhanced diet containing antioxidants in esophageal cancer surgery following neoadjuvant therapy

Neoadjuvant therapy-induced immunological deterioration may be a key factor in postoperative morbidity in patients with esophageal cancer. This study aimed to determine the effects of perioperative feeding with an immuno-enhanced diet on immune competence in patients treated with neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery. Because an immuno-enhanced diet that contained several antioxidants was used, perioperative oxidative stress and the effects of the immuno-enhanced diet on this stress were also investigated. Of 39 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent similar surgical procedures, 26 patients who received chemotherapy or chemoradiation therapy before surgery were randomly divided into two groups: group 1 (n= 14) was given an immuno-enhanced diet for 5 days before surgery, and group 2 (n= 12) received no enteral feeding products before surgery. Group 3 (n= 13) consisted of patients that did not receive neoadjuvant therapy and received no enteral feeding products before surgery. Several markers for coagulation and fibrinolysis were determined and immunological assessments were performed for each patient. To measure reactive oxygen metabolites and the total antioxidant capacity, diacron-reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and OXY-adsorbent tests were performed using a free radical elective evaluator. Significant depression in lymphocyte numbers was observed in groups 1 and 2 before and early after surgery as compared to group 3. Numbers of B cells, CD4/CD8 ratio, and phytohemagglutinin-induced lymphocyte transformation tests were also significantly decreased in groups 1 and 2 on postoperative day 1. Fibrin and fibrinogen degradation products were significantly elevated in group 2 compared to group 1. d-ROMs and OXY-adsorbent test values were elevated before surgery and were decreased transiently early after surgery. Compared to groups 2 and 3, d-ROMs values were significantly lower in group 1 patients throughout the postoperative period, while OXY-adsorbent test values were significantly higher in group 2 patients. Oxidative index was significantly suppressed in group 1 compared to group 3. No significant intergroup differences were observed with regard to morbidity after surgery. Although the baseline levels of immunological function might have been different because of less-advanced cancer stages in group 3, neoadjuvant therapy significantly affected several immunological parameters. Preoperative administration of an immuno-enhanced diet did not significantly prevent neoadjuvant therapy-induced immunological deterioration prior to esophageal cancer surgery. Patients with esophageal cancer had elevated levels of oxidant and antioxidant activities before surgery, which were transiently decreased early after surgery. Although the underlying mechanisms for these perioperative changes are unclear, this study showed that an immuno-enhanced diet containing several antioxidants may reduce oxidative stress following esophageal cancer surgery. After these mechanisms are studied further, oxidative stress control may become another tool for perioperative management to reduce morbidity after esophageal cancer surgery.

Laparoscopy-assisted percutaneous gastrostomy tube placement along with laparoscopic gastropexy.

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) has gained wide acceptance for patients suffering malnutrition. However, the PEG technique is not always feasible in cases in which endoscopic passage is not possible due to an obstruction in the esophagus. Methods: Under general anesthesia, a 2.0 nylon suture with a straight needle was inserted into the peritoneal cavity approximately 1 cm cranial to the planned gastrostomy. After this straight needle was held with the laparoscopic needle holder, the layers of the anterior gastric wall were sutured, and then the needle was put through the abdominal wall. The same procedures were performed at 2 cm on the caudal side of the first suture. A trocar with a peel-away sheath was used to penetrate the gastric wall. The peel-away sheath was removed and a balloon catheter was placed between the two gastropexy sutures. Results: This surgical procedure was performed in 6 cases. The mean operation time was 46.7 ± 10.0 min, the postoperative courses were uneventful, and feeding was started on postoperative day 1 in all cases. Conclusions: This laparoscopic gastrostomy procedure should be especially useful in patients in whom endoscopic passage is not possible due to a neck or esophageal stenosis.

Predictive value of the pathological extent of tumor invasion in endoscopic resection margins positive for residual tumor cells in surgically resected specimens of early gastric cancer

Although endoscopic resection (ER) is considered to be the optimal treatment for early gastric cancer, indications for radical gastrectomy in patients undergoing incomplete ER for early gastric cancer remain unclear. We evaluated the pathological extent of tumor invasion in the ER margins positive for residual tumor cells in the surgically resected specimens. We measured the vertical and/or horizontal length of the exposed tumor in the ER specimens of 23 patients with margins positive for tumor cells. We compared the clinicopathological data to distinguish between the presence and absence of residual tumor cells in the surgically resected specimens. Of 17 lesions with exposed tumor cells in the vertical margins of the ER specimens, only 3 (17.6%) had residual tumor cells in the corresponding site of the surgically resected specimens. By contrast, of 10 lesions with exposed tumor cells in the horizontal margins of the ER specimens, 8 (80.0%) had residual tumor cells in the corresponding site of the surgically resected specimens. The length of the exposed tumor in the vertical margins of the ER specimens was significantly associated with the incidence of residual tumor cells in the vertical margins of the surgically resected specimens. When the cut-off value for the length of the exposed tumor in the vertical ER margins was set to >3 mm, the sensitivity and specificity were 0.67 and 0.95, respectively. In conclusion, measurement of the length of the exposed tumor in the ER margins for early gastric cancer is a simple procedure that is able to determine whether additional surgical intervention is necessary.